Israel to release Egyptian prisoners in swap with U.S. student charged as spy

Special to WorldTribune.com

JERUSALEM — Israel has agreed to release Egyptian nationals as part
of a deal for the freeing of an American man charged with espionage.

Officials said the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has
agreed in principle to release 25 Egyptian inmates. They said Cairo would
free an American-Israeli law student, Ilan Grapel, accused of spying in
Egypt.

“In the framework of efforts by Israel and Egypt, and with the
assistance of the United States, Egypt has agreed to release Ilan Grapel,” a
statement by Netanyahu’s office said on Oct. 24. “At Egypt’s request, Israel
has agreed to release 25 Egyptian prisoners, including three minors.”

The Israeli statement said the ministerial committee on security would
convene on Oct. 25 to ratify the agreement. Officials said the ministers
were expected to approve the deal.

The Israeli government did not identify the Egyptians. But the statement
said none of those slated for release was charged with security offenses.

Grapel, who lives in New York, has been charged in an Egyptian court
with sedition. Prosecutors said the 27-year-old incited Egyptians to stage
violent protests during the 18-day campaign that led to the ouster of
President Hosni Mubarak in February.

In October, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta sought and failed to win
the release of Grapel. Officials said Egyptian leaders insisted that Grapel
was deemed as working for Israeli intelligence.

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